Why Women Smokers Puff Off Tensions

Smoking among women is gaining popular heights. In the early twentieth century, it was rare phenomenon, but now more women are smoking. The gap between men and women smokers is reducing. Women are coping up with more diseases related to smoking. Changing life styles have resulted in stress and tensions, which are relieved through smoking. What problems are women smokers facing? Let us try to observe this.

Why Women Smoke?

Stress is a major reason. Strained personal relationships, too much work at workplace, having to cope up with family and work often force a woman to smoke. It provides relief from day-to day tension

Peer group pressures also make women smoke. Many develop the habit at an early age, perhaps at school. They get addicted to smoking and cannot kick off the habit

Ill health also causes tension and some prefer to smoke to cope up with these illnesses

Cigarette advertisements also portray smoking as causing weight loss. Women who would like to remain slim, prefer not to give up smoking. Also glamorous women are shown smoking. Famous actresses are shown in advertisements enjoying a puff or two. This draws other women towards smoking

Many women smoke during pregnancy

Women find smoking a way to escape from negative emotions, such as depression

Insomnia also forces women to smoke

Some women smoke to avoid boredom

Some women take to smoking to control their weight

It also increases sex appeal. A woman with a cigarette in hand comes across as being sexy

Health Effects of Smoking on Women

Many women suffer from lung cancer. Smoking is also a risk factor for other cancers such as the cervix, mouth, pharynx, esophagus, larynx, pancreas, kidney, bladder and stomach. Also linked to some form of leukemia

Cause of early death among women

Risk of stroke and heart disease

Functioning of the lung gets affected. Wheezing and chronic coughing are common. Airways and air sacs in the lungs get damaged

Reduced lung growth among teenage girls

Smoking also causes peripheral vascular disease (PVD), which results in the hardening and narrowing of major blood vessels in the body system

Menopause women are at risk of fractures

Complications can develop during pregnancy

Harmful chemicals in tobacco can be passed onto the baby through breast milk

Leads to infertility

It also causes osteoporosis

It is quite evident that women smoke to escape daily tensions, but also have to face the brunt of several diseases. Smoking may provide relief from tensions, but it damages health. Earlier men smoked, but now even women prefer a fag or two. Some are also chain smokers. Despite anti-smoking campaigns, women continue to smoke.